I hadn’t seen anyone else post on the B about Butch’s benefit, so I thought I would write a few things down while it was fresh in my mind.

The first thing that grabbed me was the slide show of so many people wearing their “Band Together for Butch” wristbands. I could see lots of pictures were taken at IBMA, and lots of wristbands on headstocks. It even appeared that they were able to get a wristband on Monroe’s mandolin.

Two highlights come to mind: 1. Butch came in and was given a standing ovation that lasted nearly two minutes. Very moving. 2. The Nashville Mandolin Ensemble, current members and what appeared to be every alumni member played for us, and Butch. That is not to take away from a great evening from many other musicians who volunteered their time. It was an inspiring evening.